Braves' Acuña is 1st to commit to HR Derby in Atlanta

It just wouldn't be a Home Run Derby in Atlanta without Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Braves superstar announced Wednesday that he'll be swinging for the fences in this year's derby at his home field, Truist Park.

This will be Acuña's third time participating in the event. He first took part in 2019, when he hit 25 homers in Round 1 before being eliminated in the semifinals. Acuña made a second appearance in 2022, coming up one homer short of upsetting then-defending champion Pete Alonso.

Acuña will now try to become the first Braves slugger to win the Home Run Derby, as well as just the fourth contestant to do it at his home park. The last hometown player to win the event was Bryce Harper at Nationals Park in 2018.

2025 is shaping up as a remarkable comeback season for Acuña. Since returning in late May from a torn ACL, the former MVP has hit .385/.496/.692 with nine homers, 16 RBIs, and four steals over 29 games.

Acuña is the first player to commit to participating in this year's derby. The event, which will take place July 14, will feature eight players squaring off in a head-to-head bracket for three rounds. The reigning champion is Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernández.